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Show 264 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY but the authorities at Washington did not care to act in the matter and, in December, 1847, General Price GOVERNOR DONACIANO VIGIL appointed him governor of the territory. In the same month a legislative assembly met at Santa Fé. To this assembly Governor Vigil delivered an able address, its character and sentiment demonstrating that he was a man of marked ability and fully alive to the changed condition of affairs.1s° This assembly was organized by the election of Don Antonio Sandoval as president of the legislative council and Captain W. Z. Angney as speaker of the house of representatives. Ten acts were passed, among which was one establishing a university and providing for funds for its support; an act in relation to replevin, one regulating ejectments and one calling for a convention of delegates to meet in the city of Santa Fé, in the month of February, 1848. These acts were all approved by Governor Vigil and were also approved by General Price, by special orders.!” 189 Donaciano Vigil was a native New Mexican and was born September 6, 1802. He occupied a number of public positions under the Mexican régime, both civil and military, and enjoyed the confidence of the people. He was active in the expeditions against the Navajés in 1823, 1833, 1836, and 1838. He was taken prisoner during the revolution of 1837 at La Cafiada. Later he was military secretary under Governor Armijo and was twice a member of the departmental assembly. He was an officer under Armijo at the time of the coming of General Kearny. Governor Vigil issued the first proclamation for an election in New Mexico under American authority. The first American deliberative body in the territory was elected at this election. Governor Vigil after his term of office as governor expired held many positions of honor and trust under the government. He was chosen repeatedly to the territorial legis- lature, his last term being in 1864-5. He was a staunch Union man during the Civil War. He died at Santa Fé, at the residence of his son, Epifanio, 00 the 11th day of August, 1877. There are no two opinions as to his high character, his patriotism, and his sagacity. His remains in state, draped with the flag of his adopted country, in the old palace, just laywhere he had been almost uninterruptedly for half a century, intimately and honorably associated with the affairs of New Mexico. The history of the career of Donaciano Vigil, the firm friend of liberty and humanity, belongs to the people of New Mexico. His 18 a record of which the people may be proud; a record which all lovers of free government will the more delight to honor as time elapses and his distinguished merits are best understood. It is a record which the native son 0 New Mexico should ever try to emulate. For complete biography of Governor Vigil sas, satienet New Mesico, 1846-1851, pp. 207-298, 190 Session Laws, 1847 oe (pamphlet) ¢ in li 4 inger, Esq. : Las Vegas, New Mexico. (pamphlet) copy in library of Frank Springer, The approval of General Price appears in this pamphlet as follows: con Headquarters, : om 9th Military Department, ‘February 5, 1848. Santa Fé, N. M., e foregoing Legislative enactments of the Territory of New Mexico, Prominent Officers during the Civil War Period 1. Col. Richard Hudson. 2. Dr. McKee. 3. Col. W.-L. Rynerson 4. Capt. Donaciano Montoya |
